Talk about making a first impression.
On Friday night, newly called-up Detroit Tigers infielder Jahmai Jones stepped into the batter’s box for his first at-bat with the team—and promptly crushed a solo homer on the very first pitch he saw. Not bad for a guy who had just learned he was getting the call-up from Triple-A Toledo earlier that same day.
But here’s the cool part: Jones isn’t just another fresh face in the Tigers’ clubhouse. He’s got serious Motor City roots. His dad, Andre Jones, played for the Detroit Lions back in 1992, and his brother, T.J. Jones, suited up for the Lions from 2015 to 2018. So that home run? That wasn’t just a highlight. That was a family legacy moment.
“Obviously, Detroit has a special place in my heart just because of the family ties,” Jones told the Detroit Free Press. “So being able to do it myself and add to it, it’s everything I could ask for.”
Jones followed that up with a single on Saturday, continuing to show he’s ready to contribute. Saturday’s game marked the 71st of his career, which has seen stops with the Angels, Orioles, Brewers, Yankees, and now—finally—the Tigers.
A new name in the Tigers lineup, but not a new name to Detroit sports fans. The Jones legacy lives on in the D.
Jahmai Jones Makes a Splash in Detroit—and He’s Got Lions Blood in His Veins
